Beyond the Lab Coat: Building Tomorrow’s Healthcare Innovators

In this episode, Rocky Valadez, Senior Vice President of Engagement at Project Lead The Way chats with three Biomedical Science educators to learn more about how to build tomorrow’s healthcare innovators.Today’s biomedical workforce extends far beyond traditional clinical roles like doctors and nurses. This episode explores how K–12 schools and districts can expand student awareness of biomedical career pathways, including biomedical science, biomedical engineering, laboratory sciences, health informatics, research, and technology innovation. This episode is for district leaders, school administrators, and CTE decision-makers, and highlights how interdisciplinary learning and intentional pathway design can help schools align biomedical education with real-world workforce demands and post-secondary opportunities. Takeaways:How to expand student awareness of biomedical careers beyond doctors and nursesWays to integrate biomedical science with computer science, engineering, and CTE pathwaysHow industry certifications, licenses, and credentials connect learning to meaningful careersStrategies for building biomedical pathways that start before high schoolHow to leverage college credit and post-secondary partnerships to give students a head startHost:Rocky ValadezSVP of EngagementGuests:Julye Adams – Biomedical Sciences Teacher, Scott County Public SchoolsMichelle Lawrence – Medicine & Healthcare Instructor, Northland CAPSJoe McCollum – Biomedical Science Teacher, Central Valley School DistrictResources:Students are incredible—especially when they’re given the space to create and innovate; check out this award-winning, student-led community education initiative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFhkSEWNRbQ Two high schools implemented biomed and healthcare programs differently, both with stellar results: https://www.pltw.org/blog/how-two-high-schools-implement-pltw-biomedical-science Middle school CTE looks like designing prosthetics, investigating medical mysteries, and making a local impact: https://www.pltw.org/blog/middle-school-stem-prosthetics Nursing careers take students on career journeys they never expected—these PLTW alums discovered meaningful professions: https://www.pltw.org/blog/stem-to-rn-nursing-careers How can students get high-quality job roles right after high school? Combine place-based learning with industry certifications and nondegree credentials: https://www.pltw.org/industry-recognized-credentials?type=%22Biomedical+Science%22&search=#:~:text=PLTW%20Biomedical%20Science%20(BMS) Biotechnology innovation is a high-value, high-demand career path—Bolarin Lawrence shares his story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJP-8XOTKxE&list=PLcCTPHuIP75Lk1HB7a00OYD295-1QamJk&index=2&t=2s&pp=iAQB